In the past few years, I noticed each Summer solstice there occurs a Yoga day in Times Square – I think I read about it in one of the first TimeOut New Yorks I bought. I found this year I was able to participate on Wednesday, June 20th. It was a great afternoon, hot but in the shade, in the middle of Times Square (I was in the 42nd St-43rd St block). I discovered, as I did the “founders flow” all-level exercise, that even the noise of the traffic, sirens, tourist chatter, and other obnoxious sounds faded into the background of my mind. It was truly “mind over madness,” and I didn’t even realize the theme of the day’s activities until after I finished, got myself free water and yogurt, and went home. I highly recommend this for next year and any years that they hold this event!
“Mind Over Madness” was the theme by Athleta
Relaxing before the Founders Flow (all levels welcome) afternoon session
My POV doing Yoga
The big screen takes a picture of us, and I do of it!
My point of view from the ground.
Yogi Douglass Stewart takes a picture with his assistant yogis (he’s the man, front row center, in a white t-shirt).
Live Music
And now, a poem:
The Sun Is Gracious by Rafael Jesús González
——-(blessing in case of doubt)
Summer grasses grow
honey pelts upon the hills,
a pride of lions
napping in the solstice sun
easy and content, fulfilled.
So may it be with you,
unutterably sure, knowing
that gracious is the sun,
creating himself in you,
like a field of grasses
in flower, until they,
full grown, burst into seeds,
feathered envoys flung afar,
each a token that you are loved.